Craveggia: Discover Church Art and Hiking Trails

Craveggia appeals to travellers who want to combine Italian sacred art with opportunities for hiking. The town focuses on churches, oratories and a permanent exhibition; at the same time, several hiking trails differ in their classification. For your trip planning, it is therefore worth considering cultural attractions and the level of difficulty you want for your hikes together.

Churches with frescoes and valuable furnishings

The parish church of Saints James and Christopher was built between 1731 and 1734. Inside, it is decorated with frescoes by Giuseppe Maria Borgnis. The portico also features frescoes by Lorenzo Peretti senior. The church also houses the Tesoro del Re di Francia, with historic liturgical textiles and objects, including silk vestments interwoven with gold and silver, pyxes, crosses, chalices, monstrances and the mourning cloak of Louis XIV.

The parish church of Santa Caterina was completed in 1660 and consecrated in 1690. It houses the painting The Marriage of the Virgin by Luigi Reali, created in 1660. The presbytery contains frescoes by Bernardino Peretti and Antonio Cotti. Alongside the furnishings of the Church of Saint James, this gives Craveggia another clearly defined place for visitors interested in art and history.

Oratories and a historic Stations of the Cross

The Oratorio della Madonna del Piaggio lies outside the settlement on a rocky spur and was rebuilt in 1627. From there, a path leads to the Stations of the Cross with monumental votive chapels; the stations were established from 1742 onwards. The access situation is important for your planning: for safety reasons, the oratory opens only on special occasions.

The dome of the Oratorio di San Gottardo preserves frescoes by Bernardino Peretti, including The Triumph of Saint Gotthard. It also contains a catafalque painted by Carlo Fornara at the age of twenty. The permanent exhibition Le ricostruzioni di Guido Dresti is dedicated to sundials and astronomical instruments.

Hiking trails with different classifications

Four routes are available for active days. All four routes begin in Bagni di Craveggia and each leads to its own destination. The Bagni di Craveggia–Alpe Pian del Bazzo M21 hiking trail is classified as an E-route for hikers; the Bagni di Craveggia–Bocchetta di Muino M23 trail is likewise classified as an E-route. The Bagni di Craveggia–Lago di Panelatte M19 hiking trail and the Bagni di Craveggia–Passo di Fontanalba M17 trail, on the other hand, are classified EE for experienced hikers.

If you are primarily interested in churches, frescoes and historic furnishings, the focus is on the parish churches and oratories. For hiking days, you can choose between the two E-routes and the two trails classified as EE.

More destinations

If you would like to extend your trip to Italy beyond Craveggia: San Domenico, Cursolo-Orasso, Pollino, Domodossola, Quarna Sopra, Bracchio, Scareno, Cesara

For the higher-level travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.